But, there are signs of optimism: the Los Angeles Times reports that at the University of Souther California’s top-ranked video-game design program, women outnumber men for the first time. In 2011, the game design program admitted 15 men and 5 women, yet reversed that trend with 12 women and 7 men in 2015.

Tracy Fullerton, director of the USC Game Innovation Lab. (Photo by Justin Hall for USC)

The Times and other observers suggest this trend reflects the changing nature of video game players and those entering science, technology, engineering, and math fields generally.

“A lot of that is being fueled by the demographic change in game players, which in the US is about 50/50 male and female,” said Kate Edwards, executive director of the International Game Developers Association. “We’re seeing a greater enthusiasm in women and people who have not traditionally been a part of this industry in saying that this is what I love and this is what I want to do.”

And USC makes sure to highlight Fullerton and the program’s overall diversity.

Colin Kelly, undergraduate advisor and event coordinator for USC’s interactive division in the school of Cinematic Arts, says that the school has placed a particular emphasis on diversity in its gaming program.

“We want to make sure our games and our designers of games reflect the changing model in the industry. Now, almost everyone is a gamer,” he says. Program staff emphasizes the diversity of its program in marketing material and communication, which potentially has a more welcoming effect on woman considering the program.